After the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and the Cynettes, the Romans arrived in their warships and landed in Silves in 201 BC and built their fortress. It is not generally known who the estate agents were in those days as not many properties changed hands for money. Rather, they got taken over. However, this is how the castle might have been listed in days gone by.
700 AD: Roman Fortress for sale – Cilpes, Lusitania
Seller: The Roman Empire
Features:
► Built around 200 BC by slaves under Roman authority.
► Castle in remarkably good condition, some modernisation required.
► Great hall, great wall, great bedrooms, great armoury, (it’s all great), distillery, cold rooms, pantries, buttery, towers, stables, army and staff quarters, market place, entertainment arena, Roman bridge and established trading port.
► Water and irrigation from the Arade River, also gives sea-faring access.
► Sale includes external Cilpes village on condition that refuge is given to same during inclement conditions (marauding neighbours).
► Agricultural lands plus well-producing silver, copper and iron mines, all pillaged from the local inhabitants over a 700 year period of occupation.
Description:
A carefully guarded property whose owner has introduced wheat, olives, barley and wine to the area and is willing to include the slaves in the deal.
Proviso:
No women need apply to buy this property, it has been built by men, run by men and ruled by men: this is not to change.
► 1400 year-old Citadel, formerly a Roman Fortress, refurbished frequently after skirmishes between 700 and 1242 AD including major reinforcements of the outer walls in the past 100 years.
► Great hall, great wall, bedrooms, armoury, cold rooms, towers, stables, army quarters, etc.: pretty much the same as the last sale except everything is now decorated and furnished with an Arabic flavour.
► New-ish Mosque included in the deal. The Mosque is located in the town, but it’s safe, all the locals have been converted to Islam.
►Three new outer walls surrounding the property providing an aura of privacy.
Description:
The property has been carefully maintained for the past 700 years, with the owner introducing Islam to all grateful occupants as well as oranges and almonds. Jews and Christians made welcome along with slaves of high calibre. The population has been naturally culled with normal disease and pestilence.
History of ownership:
The Moors didn’t have much luck with a sale: the first potential bid came in 1160, from Ferdinand I. Presumably he defaulted on the mortgage as the Moors repossessed the property rapidly.
The second offer came in 1189 from King Sancho I of Portugal, who had a bit of help from the Crusaders from the North. Possibly the Moors didn’t like the way King Sancho was running things: they repossessed again in 1191.
Proviso:
The Citadel has been built by men, run by men and ruled by men: this is not to change.
1940 AD: Castle for development – Silves, Algarve
Seller: The Portuguese, Portugal
Situated in the ancient town of Silves: an historic city of past glories and bloodshed, the Castle is in need of some small refurbishment: all applications must be approved by the ruling council of men. Health and safety have not been invented and therefore do not apply.
Features:
► Citadel converted to fabulous castle around 1242 AD.
► Mosque converted to Cathedral and slaves and serfs converted to Christianity. Unfortunately the Cathedral is only available by special agreement with Silves county council – good luck with that.
► Slaves and serfs gained freedom and the vote at some point in the last 8 centuries – no one knows when but it’s to be noted that any repairs and refurbishment will have to be paid for – slaves are not included.
► Last major overhaul done in the 15th century (must have been while slaves were still available).
► Slightly damaged by huge earthquake in 1755: the foundations and pieces of walls are still standing. The outer walls were partially rebuilt so the Castle is safe from marauding invaders. We’re not sure what they would invade since there’s not a lot left. The Cathedral was restored for the most part: the women did the tapestries and such but didn’t have a say about much else.
Proviso:
Women may apply if they have a male relative willing to sign contracts on their behalf. Note that the councils are still run by men and ruled by men. You won’t get anywhere.
► Located in a good neighbourhood with a Cathedral next door, this is a much sought-after property (Cathedral not included).
► Great hilltop location with fantastic views overlooking the town of Silves (a bit limiting for bulldozer access).
► Limited refurbishment circa 1940: no slaves or money available.
► Excellent footprint of original castle layout for easy rebuild.
Proviso:
Female buyer preferred: more likely to manage a budget and efficiently organise refurbishment and entice tourism.
Silves Medieval Festival
Somehow, over the centuries, despite earthquakes, inquisitions and plagues, the Portuguese have managed to keep their sense of humour. To this day they sing and dance at many festivals that celebrate their heritage.
Silves is a classic case in hand. It is a thriving area far from the madding crowd. But every year in August the town goes mad with medieval mania and people come from miles around to join in this largest of the Algarvean Medieval festivals.
Authentic costumes are worn, food and drink are consumed and traditional entertainment from the ‘good old days’ is laid on in style. Find out more about the Silves Medieval Festival which runs from 2nd to 11th August.
Property tends to get sold rather than ‘taken over’ nowadays. If you’ve a fancy to buy a property in this picturesque area in the heart of the Algarve, rather than sacking one (and risk getting arrested) you can check the latest properties for sale in Silves right here on Meravista, as well as read more about Silves town in the present day.
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Silves Castle for sale through the ages
by Sun’s Dragon
After the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and the Cynettes, the Romans arrived in their warships and landed in Silves in 201 BC and built their fortress. It is not generally known who the estate agents were in those days as not many properties changed hands for money. Rather, they got taken over. However, this is how the castle might have been listed in days gone by.
700 AD: Roman Fortress for sale – Cilpes, Lusitania
Seller: The Roman Empire
Features:
► Built around 200 BC by slaves under Roman authority.
► Castle in remarkably good condition, some modernisation required.
► Great hall, great wall, great bedrooms, great armoury, (it’s all great), distillery, cold rooms, pantries, buttery, towers, stables, army and staff quarters, market place, entertainment arena, Roman bridge and established trading port.
► Water and irrigation from the Arade River, also gives sea-faring access.
► Sale includes external Cilpes village on condition that refuge is given to same during inclement conditions (marauding neighbours).
► Agricultural lands plus well-producing silver, copper and iron mines, all pillaged from the local inhabitants over a 700 year period of occupation.
Description:
A carefully guarded property whose owner has introduced wheat, olives, barley and wine to the area and is willing to include the slaves in the deal.
Proviso:
No women need apply to buy this property, it has been built by men, run by men and ruled by men: this is not to change.
1242 AD: Moorish Citadel for sale – Shilb, Al Gharb (see the Castle For Sale fantasy advert)
Seller: King Ibn Afan of the Moors
Features:
► 1400 year-old Citadel, formerly a Roman Fortress, refurbished frequently after skirmishes between 700 and 1242 AD including major reinforcements of the outer walls in the past 100 years.
► Great hall, great wall, bedrooms, armoury, cold rooms, towers, stables, army quarters, etc.: pretty much the same as the last sale except everything is now decorated and furnished with an Arabic flavour.
► New-ish Mosque included in the deal. The Mosque is located in the town, but it’s safe, all the locals have been converted to Islam.
►Three new outer walls surrounding the property providing an aura of privacy.
Description:
History of ownership:
The Moors didn’t have much luck with a sale: the first potential bid came in 1160, from Ferdinand I. Presumably he defaulted on the mortgage as the Moors repossessed the property rapidly.
The second offer came in 1189 from King Sancho I of Portugal, who had a bit of help from the Crusaders from the North. Possibly the Moors didn’t like the way King Sancho was running things: they repossessed again in 1191.
Proviso:
The Citadel has been built by men, run by men and ruled by men: this is not to change.
1940 AD: Castle for development – Silves, Algarve
Seller: The Portuguese, Portugal
Situated in the ancient town of Silves: an historic city of past glories and bloodshed, the Castle is in need of some small refurbishment: all applications must be approved by the ruling council of men. Health and safety have not been invented and therefore do not apply.
Features:
► Citadel converted to fabulous castle around 1242 AD.
► Mosque converted to Cathedral and slaves and serfs converted to Christianity. Unfortunately the Cathedral is only available by special agreement with Silves county council – good luck with that.
► Slaves and serfs gained freedom and the vote at some point in the last 8 centuries – no one knows when but it’s to be noted that any repairs and refurbishment will have to be paid for – slaves are not included.
► Last major overhaul done in the 15th century (must have been while slaves were still available).
► Slightly damaged by huge earthquake in 1755: the foundations and pieces of walls are still standing. The outer walls were partially rebuilt so the Castle is safe from marauding invaders. We’re not sure what they would invade since there’s not a lot left. The Cathedral was restored for the most part: the women did the tapestries and such but didn’t have a say about much else.
Proviso:
Women may apply if they have a male relative willing to sign contracts on their behalf. Note that the councils are still run by men and ruled by men. You won’t get anywhere.
2013 AD Ruin for sale – Silves, Algarve
Seller: Silves Camera, Algarve
Features:
► Located in a good neighbourhood with a Cathedral next door, this is a much sought-after property (Cathedral not included).
► Great hilltop location with fantastic views overlooking the town of Silves (a bit limiting for bulldozer access).
► Limited refurbishment circa 1940: no slaves or money available.
► Excellent footprint of original castle layout for easy rebuild.
Proviso:
Female buyer preferred: more likely to manage a budget and efficiently organise refurbishment and entice tourism.
Silves Medieval Festival
Somehow, over the centuries, despite earthquakes, inquisitions and plagues, the Portuguese have managed to keep their sense of humour. To this day they sing and dance at many festivals that celebrate their heritage.
Silves is a classic case in hand. It is a thriving area far from the madding crowd. But every year in August the town goes mad with medieval mania and people come from miles around to join in this largest of the Algarvean Medieval festivals.
Authentic costumes are worn, food and drink are consumed and traditional entertainment from the ‘good old days’ is laid on in style. Find out more about the Silves Medieval Festival which runs from 2nd to 11th August.
Property tends to get sold rather than ‘taken over’ nowadays. If you’ve a fancy to buy a property in this picturesque area in the heart of the Algarve, rather than sacking one (and risk getting arrested) you can check the latest properties for sale in Silves right here on Meravista, as well as read more about Silves town in the present day.
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.